The world is counting on innovation to meet humanity’s severest challenges. And free enterprise is answering the call. The venture capital database CB Insights reported that in 2013, venture capitalists invested $350 million in food projects.

The good old UPC barcode has been around for nearly a half century, but savvy consumers are pushing hard for advancements in the way we track supply chains and deliver product information. The ubiquity of web-connected mobile devices with high-quality cameras enables mobile app developers to leverage the barcode in fresh ways. They can now provide consumers with digital food transparency, creating profound effects on the food industry.

While nearly half of high school graduates in 2016 expressed an interest in pursuing STEM majors or careers, just 26 percent of them met a college-readiness benchmark that indicates whether a student is well-prepared for first-year courses such as calculus, biology, chemistry and physics

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) believes that we can tackles the skills gap if our employers start taking a leadership role in ensuring their communities are prioritizing career readiness.